If some people live their life according to the Bible, why not live it by the phone book?

Question

What makes people believe in the veracity of the content of the Bible let alone live your WHOLE LIFE by it?

Faith?

If it's a matter of faith, wouldn't you find it stupid if a huge group of people lived their life according their interpretation of the meaning of a phonebook? I mean, if they really HAD FAITH in that phone book.

Being written 2000 years ago by a number of people, being published in various languages or even read by billions does't mean its real, right?

Answer 1

"If some people live their life according to the Bible, why not live it by the phone book?"

If some people live their lives according to the Bible it's because they have faith and they choose to believe. Let them. The Bible contains much for us to consider, contemplate and revere, regardless of our degree of faith. There is so much within it that is timeless and still applicable today. There is no other book quite like it.


"What makes people believe in the veracity of the content of the Bible let alone live your WHOLE LIFE by it?"

Who knows? Perhaps people believe in the veracity of the Bible's content and live their lives by it because some event or events in their lives serves or serve as a catalyst (inheriting a large sum of money, a brush with death, a sudden loss of a loved one) that results in their questioning "Is this all there is?" or "What does this mean?" From there they seek answers through the Bible. And if they find solace, or redemption or purpose (or a renewed purpose), why not?

Or, perhaps nothing at all "makes" them. Perhaps there's something in the Bible that calls to them and they find a path and follow it to a life of fulfillment and purpose and salvation.

Either way, through reading, study, worship, some discover MORE to believe than disbelieve. A cursory reading, or selective listening, or concentrating solely on ONE portion of it enables one to easily dismiss it.

Additional Details
1 day ago
"Faith? If it's a matter of faith, wouldn't you find it stupid if a huge group of people lived their life according their interpretation of the meaning of a phonebook? I mean, if they really HAD FAITH in that phone book."

Here you're being provocative. I think the analogy of this portion of your argument gets the better of you. Nonetheless, I'll attempt to respond. To be sure, I'd raise an eyebrow were a huge group of people to live their lives according to the interpretation of the meaning of the phonebook. However, if doing such a thing got them through their days and enabled them to live happily and without being a danger or being endangered, why not? But let's face it, the phonebook is a collection of names, addresses and numbers. While there are undoubtedly stories BEHIND the names and addresses, in of itself the phonebook provides no prose, no life lessons, no teachings.


1 day ago
"Being written 2000 years ago by a number of people, being published in various languages or even read by billions does't mean its real, right?"

Yes, being written that long ago by a number of people, being translated in various languages or even read by billions doesn't mean it's real, but it doesn't mean it's false, either.

I appreciate your question. Rather than react to it viscerally I chose to evaluate my response and organize my thoughts to respond intelligently. Thank you.

Answer 2

Well, Christians come in all different flavors, and there are different ways to "live your life" by the Bible.

I would assume you have the most problems with the literalists, who to outsiders come across as applying some verses rigidly while ignoring others that are inconvenient.

Still, I'm not sure why you are equating living your life by the Bible to living your life by the phone book. Think in your own life about a book(s) that has been meaningful to you and thus changed your behavior or way of living... a book you recall, that inspires you. Is that comparable to "living life based on the phone book?" No.

And neither is living by the Bible, which actually is a combination of story, history, poetry, song, prophecy, wisdom, and such. I think that, even if you are not a professed believer, you could probably read some of it (such as the things Jesus taught and said) and find them valuable enough to live by.

I would simply say that my reading of the Bible is informed by my life experiences -- the things I believe are true are supported by both the Bible and the things I've learned just by living.

Answer 3

Oh so your saying that a book written over 2000 years is the same as the phone book. Well let me give you some interesting facts about the bible that I know the phone book doesn't have. First it was written by 40 different authors, in 3 differerent languages as well as over a period of about 1900 years. It sure is funny how they all tell the same story. How God loves people so much that He Himself was going to come down and save us.

Answer 4

Christian's don't live their lives by the bible, they just pretend to. If you really lived your life according to the bible you would be on death row for murder. Christians...when was the last time you killed a queer [bible says to stone them] or a woman for having premarital sex [stoning again]? How about burning a witch or a Jew? I could go on for a very... very... very long time with examples like these. Of course in the middle east they still do these things, but somehow they are different and bad? Why not have the courage of your convictions ike Bin Laden?

Answer 5

The phone book is a list of names and places. There's nothing to base your life on in it. The Bible, however, is a series of stories about PEOPLE. How they lived, what they did right and wrong, and how they can best live their lives without hurting others.

Big difference.

Huge.

Answer 6

Are you really serious,what sound advice and spiritual encouragement can you get from the phone book. And if you believe in Jehovah God, then you know that following the bibles counsel in your everyday life can and will be beneficial. And since you asked such a question I guess you must live your life by the phone book?

Answer 7

Even if you don't believe in the Bible's religious teachings, you have to admit that it's way more of an interesting read than the phone book!

Answer 8

Sometimes we all argue about what we do not know. Second, apart from God, you will not desire God, or for that matter, anything that God says. It will be foolish.

One can can never accept the things of God on their own.

Yet, how can you believe unless you hear? How can you hear unless someone preaches to you? But,how you respond to the message is up to God.

We do not chose God. He chooses us first. We he changes the desposition of our heart, we will desire God and want to follow him.

At one time, I did not desire God either. Had no time for any of it.

But God got my attention and I have never been the same. It is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. God initiates it, and carrys it (you) to completion.

For example, I can give you a Bible and encourage to try reading it. I can tell you that every word from God is flawless - that it has power - For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. I can tell you all this, but if you have no desire to read it - it will collect dust.

I pray God will give you the desire to study his word and that you may see the wisdom in it

Answer 9

Because those people don't know how to take control of their own lives. They need someone to dictate what they do and how they live and they think that is the only way they can make it through life. They love to through there money away too.

Answer 10

yeah lets live life by a bunch of phone numbers- brilliance I say, you mst be in running with the for the next president